Minister for Regional Communications, Senator Bridget McKenzie, has welcomed today’s switch on of Telstra’s 400th mobile base station built under the Liberal National Government’s $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program.

Minister McKenzie was joined by the Leader of the Nationals WA, the Hon Mia Davies MLA and their colleagues, Christian Porter MP, Shane Love MLA and Hon Martin Aldridge MLC as they congratulated Telstra at an event held today at Upper Chittering in Western Australia to mark the occasion.

Leader of The Nationals WA and Member for Central Wheatbelt, Mia Davies said the Mobile Black Spot Program was bridging the service divide between regional and city areas.

“The digital economy doesn’t simply end at the city limits,” Ms Davies said. “Regional Western Australia is a major contributor to the State and national economy and our people and businesses deserve a standard of telecommunication service which reflects this.”“As a fellow regional Australian, I know how important reliable access to 21st century telecommunication services are outside our cities. I am excited that the work we are doing is making it easier for Australians in regional and remote areas to access online services and participate in today’s growing digital economy,” Minister McKenzie said.

“We are committed to ensuring that every base station delivered under the program will open more doors for regional Australians. Hundreds of communities across our country are already seeing the benefits of improved mobile coverage that otherwise may not have reached them without Commonwealth investment.”

“We are now well past the halfway mark for rounds one and two and we will be addressing even more black spots through the recently announced Priority Locations round. I look forward to continuing to see the positive impact as more sites are rolled out.”

Federal Member for Pearce, Christian Porter, said that the improved mobile coverage in Upper Chittering would open new doors for local businesses and the community enabling them access to the same mobile services as those in major cities.

“The Coalition’s Mobile Black Spot program is already delivering new or improved coverage to a number of sites across Pearce.

“This latest switch on in Upper Chittering will ensure residents can stay in touch, keep connected and access services that they need.”

The Mobile Black Spot Program is delivering a total of 867 base stations nationwide under rounds one, two and the recently announced Priority Locations round.